Now the fun bit of hanging them on the wall, it took a while to measure the frames and find the right spot for them to hang evenly - you've got to take your time and be absolutely sure before you start drilling holes and hooks into the wall. The little spirit level we use is a Godsend, never trust your eye to be straight the level knows the truth!

This little project cost me zilch! The papers were a gift and the frames and paint I already had so with a bit of creativity and time I've turned my handmade paper into art!Have you tackled any artsy projects lately?

Monday, October 29, 2012

On the weekend I pour myself a glass of wine and grab a few cook books and write up a menu plan for the week.

I've started a trend with Meatless Mondays because I think it's good to have a break from chicken/meat/etc every day, it's healthier and a cheaper meal too.

Admittedly I get a funny look when I say we're having salad or a fresh lemon and herb pasta ... what no meat?! I have to make it filling so we don't gorge on ice cream afterwards so usually add some carbs with potatoes or homemade bread or open a tin of tuna (I figure it's not meat so it's ok!)

Sunday, October 28, 2012

When I share my enthusiasm for going on a cruise holiday I always get surprised looks from people who aren't use to young lasses like myself taking a cruise ...

Trust me a cruise holiday it's not always like a floating retirement village!

Here are my 10 reasons to go on a cruise holiday

1. You unpack once - When you board and get to your cabin, unpack your suitcase and you don't need to pack it again until you get off. If there's one thing I hate about travelling it's living out of a suitcase!

2. No uncomfortable trying to sleep while flying - You aren't wasting 10+ hrs on a flight trying to sleep with crying kids and that annoying person kicking the back of your seat. Instead you retire to your cabin to lay back in your nice big bed enjoying a chocolate left on your pillow by your lovely stewardess.

3. Less luggage restrictions - If the ship is coming back into the Port where you live you don't need to worry about luggage restrictions. Yes that means you can shop to your hearts content and fit it all in your suitcase because it won't get weight when you get off. Those Airport luggage charges bite!

4. No waiting at Airports - You don't waste time travelling to Airports and waiting around for planes and dealing with delays etc. You cruise around in luxury wining and dining being entertained or just kicking back on a deckchair whilst you head to your next destination.

5. Free Entertainment - There is a different show on every evening that is included in your cruise fare - no extra money is spent on your entertainment. It can be a musical, circus acts, laser show, comedy, magician, singing, dancing the list goes on. Yes free!

6. Free Food - The food is plentiful and included in your cruise fare - breakfast lunch and dinner you can dine in fine dining restaurants with silver service waiters pulling out your chair and fussing over you or in the casual buffet service if you're feeling relaxed and want to help yourself. There is the option of paying to go to certain restaurants on board but you don't have to when you have these already included.

7. Portrait Photos - Ever wanted to get a family or couples portrait, well there are photographers snapping away when you get on/off the ship and they also have Portrait nights for you to get dressed in your best and they'll take special photos of you to purchase.

8. Travelling Solo - You don't need to get lost in Airports, catch taxis by yourself or dine alone. Once on board you will make instant friends to explore Ports with, you'll be seated at group tables for dinner and can then spend your evening drinking cocktails with your new found friends.

9. Exploring New Destinations - You have a full day to explore the town that the ship takes you to. There are plenty of tours to pick from so there is no organising what to see and do yourself if you don't want to, just pick a tour and let them plan an enjoyable day for you.

10. An all inclusiveexperience - The best thing for me is that everythingis taken care of, there are no flights, transfers, tours, hotels, restaurants, etc to book. Once you walk up that ramp and onto the ship you just kick back and enjoy a relaxing holiday and let the lovely staff look after everything for you.

So tell me, have I convinced anyone to take a cruise holiday?If you are keen to go on your own cruise adventure check out the awesome deals on Travel Factoryhere

I'm imagining I'm writing this weeks letters in front of this calm collection of artworks sipping on a glass of sparkling passion fruit wine.

Dear 30 seconds of fame - I have been holding in my excitement of being interviewed and photographed recently and hope to be able to share my 30 seconds of fame very soon!

Dear Girls Weekend Away- 3 nights of eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, talking and just being girls! I had such a great time away and I'm so lucky to have found such a great group of friends to road trip with.

Dear Sparkling Passion Fruit Wine - You have not lived until you have tasted the sweet sensational taste of passion fruit wine. So damn delicious!

Dear MAC Make Up - I'm treating myself to having my makeup done by a MAC artist on Saturday ... smoky eye and false eyelashes will make me feel super girly. Can't wait.

Dear Salad - You don't win friends with salad, but you do get a fitter look bod for Summer! So I guess we'll be friends for the next few months. Mmmkay?!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

There is so much fuss and talk about the original book50 Shades of Grey, especially the terrible writing style and the constant repetition of words like Oh My and Inner Goddess etc so it was timely that a Parody book was written to get us all laughing.

Basically this is the same story line as 50 Shades of Grey, except much more entertaining including Anna working at Walmart and Grey's idea of dressing up is wearing a smiley face tie! Grey lists his '50 shames' at the back of the book which is hilarious too.

I would recommend this book to those that have read 50 Shades of Grey and whether you loved or hated it, this is a good read to follow for a laugh. I give this book 4 stars.

Jarrah Jungle's Star
Rating:

1 Bad - I'd rather eat brussel sprouts
topped with anchovies than read this again2 Not Good - I'd rather watch re-runs
of Neighbours than read this again3 Ok - I'm sitting on the fence - its
not great but not terrible either4 Good - I'd pass up a pack of tim tams
for this read5 Great -
I'd pass up a date with Johnny Depp for this read

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

My tears have dried since the stripe sabotage incident and a few weeks on, a bit of plaster and sanding, painting again and the art is hung - my stripe wall has evolved and is complete and what I've learnt from this is life's little stuff ups can sometimes put you on the right track ... keep reading you'll see why!

I needed to paint another stripe over the patch that was fixed but was unsure what colour to use - I didn't have enough charcoal paint left and was too much of a tight ass to buy more so I decided to bring some colour into the equation.

So here we go again measuring, drawing the lines, taping it carefully and ready to paint

Don't laugh but I couldn't find the small roller sleeve so I attempted to use a large one but it was just a mess! So a mercy dash to Bunnings was necessary to get me another roller and do the job properly.

Unfortunately you could still see the dark charcoal line I had tried to cover through the paint, so I got some sandpaper on it and lightly sanded the line back and then did 2 thick coats of paint - I tell you this stripe sabotage was a pain in the butt to fix!

I forgot about this metal wall art I had bought on sale at Target. It was looking a bit scuffed so Mr P gave it a few coats of white spray paint and it came up a treat. The whitest of whites was going to look fantastic against the dark charcoal background, I love the use of colour behind artworks it really makes them pop.

These are the 2 pictures that inspired me to paint the stripes and hang up some art in the first place

And this is my finished project

Ironically I have now used both colours in my inspiration photos teal and charcoal which just goes to show thateverything happens for a reason and if you always see the positive in life things will always work out ok in the end!

Welcome to Jarrah Jungle, a blog about the adventures of renovating a 1960s house and turning it into a home. This is my place to share all things homely, DIY, decorating, recipes and entertaining. When I’m not renovating I write regular book reviews and travel musings. Thanks for stopping by!

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